Many people do not understand why God authorizes the various killings of human beings, animals, and even the destruction of vast forested areas, and therefore wonder if He really exists.

Let us not wrongly accuse Lord Krishna of behavior and faults that are the responsibility of humankind alone. Let us not blame God, but rather humankind, who, greedy for power and wealth, use every means at their disposal to increase their prestige, power, and possessions.

These beings have become known in the present age for their cruelty, such as Hitler, Mao Zedong, Pol Pot, and, in our time, Putin. What was the origin of their cruelty?

Everything is done, in truth, by the will of the Supreme Personality of Godhead alone. In other words, when inveterate materialists want to commit all kinds of evil deeds, they can do so only if the Lord permits them. They cannot do anything without the consent of the Supreme Lord.

Why does God allow some people to commit reprehensible acts?

In reality, Lord Krishna does not want anyone to act sinfully. He even implores every living being, through their good conscience, to refrain from sinning, doing evil, and causing suffering to others.

However, when someone insists on doing wrong, the Supreme Lord gives them permission to fulfill their desires, but at their own risk. No one can do anything without the Lord's consent, but Krishna is so benevolent that when the embodied soul, conditioned by matter and illusory energy, persists in its pernicious desire, He allows it to act as it wishes, but at its own risk. Understand, they will have to suffer the consequences of their own sinful actions, and sooner or later endure the resulting suffering.

We must know that our thoughts, words and actions produce good or bad effects, which cause consequences that we will suffer at the end of our current existence already, and certainly in our next life, in the form of joys or misfortunes, various difficulties, chronic illnesses, run-ins with the law, or multiple sufferings. No one can go against divine laws. What we have done, will be done to us. These are the risks and perils to which God has emphasized, in the form of a warning.

What is the origin of the wickedness of certain demonic beings?

The starting point of human wickedness or cruelty, and the violence that drives it, is the passivity of human society in the face of the failure of leaders to respond to the crimes committed, or even to approve of them.